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Cannes 2012: Paul Greengrass to Direct Barcelona Soccer Documentary

"Barca," about the top Spanish club, will be sold internationally by FilmNation.

Director Paul Greengrass (Bourne Ultimatum, Bourne Supremacy, United 93) will take on soccer documentary Barca, which is currently in pre-production.

The movie is a portrait of Spanish soccer club FC Barcelona, or Barca for short, focusing specifically on the team's journey that led it to win all major league and tournament titles over a four-year period. The team includes such star players as Argentina's Lionel Messi.

FilmNation Entertainment has signed up to handle international sales. Richard Brown will produce for Anonymous Content, which is financing the project and handling U.S. sales, with sport and political writer John Carlin executive producing.

“I'm excited to tell the extraordinary story of Barca and their magnificent achievements under [coach] Pep Guardiola on film," said Greengrass. "They have given the world a rare glimpse of sporting perfection, and memories that will last for as long as the game is played."

Said Brown: “Barca and Paul Greengrass is a mouthwatering combination, and presents an opportunity to make an exhilarating film that will appeal to audiences worldwide.” FilmNation’s Glen Basner highlighted that soccer is "the most popular and fan-driven sport around the world." He added: "With Paul's tremendous talent, this is sure to become the singular film on [soccer]."